When I purchase and install MSFS 2024 later next month I'm looking for advice on how to proceed.  I currently have MSFS 2020 (store)  installed to a 1TB nvme.  Since I don't want to run both, I would like to uninstall it and put MSFS 2024 on that same drive.  Is it as simple as uninstalling through Windows?  What other MSFS 2020 files should be removed before installing MSFS 2024?

They are completely separate products and thus will not interfere with each other. You can uninstall as you would any other program. 

For one the new product hasn't released yet so mo one can give you exact install advice.

The best guess/advice would be to treat it like any other windows program uninstall/install!

 

6 hours ago, solwell1 said:

What other MSFS 2020 files should be removed before installing MSFS 2024?

Same question for me.

I'm totally going over from MSFS2020 to MSFS2024, how does one get rid of every single kilobyte leftover after uninstalling MSFS2020?

Uninstall FS2020 completely. Install Windows 11 plus 24H2. Clear out all cache and temporary files and unused programs. Install FS2024 and latest drivers. The future is here.

I'm running 2020 on a 500g SSD, with lots of addons and I have room left over. That suggests the 1TB drive will easily be able to hold them both, so if I were in your shoes I'd just leave the 2020 install alone, at least at first. It's not like it's going to cause any problems just sitting there.

If you fly in VR with a WMR headset, do not install Windows 11: MS has removed WMR support from that OS. The only way to keep using those headsets currently is to remain on Windows 10.

 

2 hours ago, Greazer said:

Uninstall FS2020 completely. Install Windows 11 plus 24H2. Clear out all cache and temporary files and unused programs. Install FS2024 and latest drivers. The future is here.

Why on earth would you reinstall windows?!

2 hours ago, ATRguy said:

Why on earth would you reinstall windows?!

Clearly I did not say reinstall.

Do we have to uninstall all addons separately or uninstalling 2020 will do the job?

10 hours ago, Wildblue said:

I'm totally going over from MSFS2020 to MSFS2024, how does one get rid of every single kilobyte leftover after uninstalling MSFS2020?

The only sure way would be to wipe the drives and install everything fresh. Really.
But removing "every single kilobyte" isn't necessary I think.

• I would start by making a backup of the community folder, and then if you use MSFS addon linker: unlink everything
• Then uninstall MSFS2020 via Xbox/Store/Steam/ or the default Windows add/remove option.
• After that I would check for leftovers:
  • Official/Community folders
  • MSFS core installation (C:\games\Xbox or %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\
    You could delete everything in these folders but the profile also contains savestates of your aircraft. If you wish to keep those one might want to store them in a safe location just in case.
• That should be it really. Don't mess with all those Windows cleaners; some won't do much, others will do too much.

36 minutes ago, Allard said:

But removing "every single kilobyte" isn't necessary I think.

Thanks for your answer. After uninstalling i'll check the locations you mentioned.

You're right, it's not strictly necessary, and i have enough space to keep both flightsim versions together if necessary. But i like a clean feeling without unnecessary things clogging up my disks. All those small leftovers from all those uninstalled programs amount to a lot of files just sitting there forever otherwise.

1 minute ago, Wildblue said:

All those small leftovers from all those uninstalled programs amount to a lot of files just sitting there forever otherwise.

They should be harmless, but I agree that sometimes it's a good idea to do a complete cleanup. A complete reinstall of Windows is the most sure way and also the quickest, because it really could become like looking for needles in haystacks, where some of the haystacks may be hidden.

I would not be so quick to uninstall MSFS2020 though. If everything goes as planned, all our msfs2020 addons will work flawlessly in MSFS2024. But...things rarely go as planned. Once you are settled into MSFS2024 and don't feel the need to look back you can still do a clean install.

Since I am planning to build a new PC early 2025 I will probably wait until then.

12 hours ago, Wildblue said:

Same question for me.

I'm totally going over from MSFS2020 to MSFS2024, how does one get rid of every single kilobyte leftover after uninstalling MSFS2020?

Revo Uninstaller

7 hours ago, Noooch said:

Do we have to uninstall all addons separately or uninstalling 2020 will do the job?

Some developers might prevent a new installation while another still exists and hasn't been properly uninstalled. I think in most cases it won't be an issue but better safe than sorry.